Device to spray omnidirectionally and avoid backflow

ABSTRACT

A device to allow for the continuous spraying of pressurized liquid from an aerosol spray can at any angle required, and in locations that can only be accessed through an openings through which an aerosol spray can does not fit, all while automatically preventing backflow of the pressurized liquid through the device and being able to accommodate and press valve stems of different heights.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of, and claims the priorityof, U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 16/998,874 filed onAug. 20, 2020, which itself claims the priority of U.S. provisionalpatent application No. 62/890,176 filed on Aug. 22, 2019, U.S.provisional patent application No. 62/890,170 filed on Aug. 22, 2019,and U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/890,172 filed on Aug. 22,2019.

TECHNICAL FIELD.

Aerosol spray cans contain a liquid (fluid) to be sprayed, and apressurized gas (propellant gas). Because it is lighter, the pressurizedgas is usually above the fluid when the can is upright. A dip tubeextends from the top of the can, downwards to the bottom of the can, sothat when the can is upright and an actuator at the upper end of the diptube is pressed, a spring loaded valve connected to a valve stem (alsoat the upper end of the dip tube) opens, and the pressure of thepropellant gas impels the liquid (fluid) up the dip tube and out theupper end, through the valve stem and the actuator.

One of the problems with using aerosol spray cans is that they cannotcontinuously spray the liquid (fluid) under pressure from the propellantgas (pressurized liquid) when the aerosol spray can is oriented ortilted so that the dip tube does not extend into the pressurized liquid.Use of the aerosol spray can in such circumstances will result in thespraying of propellant gas with an inconsistent amount of pressurizedliquid; of only the propellant gas; or (if the propellant gas isdepleted) of nothing at all. This therefore disrupts the continuousspraying of pressurized liquid from the can.

Another problem with conventional aerosol spray cans is that it issometimes desired to spray the pressurized liquid onto a location thatcan be accessed only through an opening through which the aerosol spraycan does not fit. In such circumstances, it is not possible tocompletely and accurately spray that location through the opening usingconventional aerosol spray cans.

In the past, to address these shortcomings, others have used deviceswith distal actuators and distal spray nozzles attached to a flexiblehose that attaches to, and is in fluid communication with, an aerosolspray can. However, when such devices are disconnected from the aerosolspray can so the flexible hose is detached from the spray can, theflexible hose becomes depressurized where it was detached, which causesbackflow—that is, the pressurized liquid left within the flexible hosetravels backwards toward the area of lower pressure near the (nowdetached) aerosol spray can, and the liquid leaks or disperses from thedevice and lands in unintended and undesired locations.

Another problem is that the spray cans often have valve stems ofdifferent heights, so there is a need for a device that is capable ofaccommodating and pressing such valve stems of different heights.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice for the continuous spraying of pressurized liquid from an aerosolspray can by using a distal actuator that is located apart from theaerosol spray can, so that the spray can remains in a substantiallyupright position while in use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device forthe spraying of pressurized liquid from an aerosol spray can using adistal spray nozzle that is located distant and apart from the aerosolspray can, so the distal spray nozzle can fit into locations that cannotbe accessed by the can itself.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device forthe spraying of pressurized liquid from an aerosol spray can, such thatthe device automatically prevents backflow of pressurized liquid towardthe aerosol spray can when the device is disconnected from the aerosolspray can.

It is yet a further objection of the present invention to provide adevice that can accommodate and press valve stems of different heights.

BACKGROUND ART

The following prior art references may be relevant to the presentinvention:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/228,165 (Pat. App. Pub. No.2006/0060614) to Garner (“Garner”), incorporated herein by reference,discloses a remote aerosol dispensing system that attaches to an aerosolspray can via an aerosol mounting cup assembly adapter, and utilizes anaerosol valve actuator insert adapter, into which an aerosol valveactuator insert is inserted, and all of which are fluidly connectedthrough a flexible delivery tube to a remote spray medium. The remotespray medium dispenses the contents of aerosol spray can by a remoteexternal medium regardless of the angle of application. However, Garnerdoes not disclose a mechanism for automatically preventing backflow ofthe contents from the flexible delivery tube when the aerosol valveactuator insert is removed from the aerosol valve actuator insertadapter. Nor does Garner disclose a mechanism for accommodating andpressing valve stems of different heights.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,859 to Krahn et al. (“Krahn”), incorporated hereinby reference, discloses a coupling assembly or quick connect/disconnectassembly for interconnecting a hose and a source of fluid underpressure, such as an aerosol can of solvent. However, Krahn does notdisclose a mechanism for remotely actuating spray at a distal end of thehose, nor does it disclose a mechanism for automatically preventing thebackflow of the fluid under pressure from the proximal end of the hosewhen the hose is disconnected from the assembly. Krahn also does notdisclose a mechanism for accommodating and pressing valve stems ofdifferent heights.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/665,213 (Pat. App. Pub. No.2005/0061014) to Cannan (“Cannan”), incorporated herein by reference,discloses an extension for the top of a refrigerant can for dispensingthe pressurized refrigerant therein. The extension includes a seal overthe opening of the refrigerant can with a valve stem that extendsthrough the seal. The extension includes an actuator cap that fits overthe seal on the top of the canister. The extension is in fluidconnection with a charging hose through which the extension dispensesrefrigerant from the refrigerant can. The actuator cap houses anactuator for releasing the contents of the container. The extensionallows the contents of the refrigerant can to be delivered withouthaving to attach a manual shutoff valve to the canister. However, Cannandoes not disclose an actuator at the distal end of the charging hose,nor does it disclose a mechanism for automatically preventing thebackflow of refrigerant from a proximal end of the charging hose whenthe extension is disconnected from the refrigerant can, or when thecharging hose is disconnected from the actuator cap. Cannan also doesnot disclose a mechanism for accommodating and pressing valve stems ofdifferent heights.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,065,791 to Charles (“Charles”), incorporated herein byreference, discloses an aerosol applicator system having a userconfigurable spray direction, having an aerosol can with a valve stemextending from a valve, a valve actuator mechanically connected to thevalve, a flexible tube coupled to the valve actuator, and a nozzlecoupled at a second end of the flexible tube. However, Charles does notdisclose an actuator at the distal end of the flexible tube, nor does itdisclose a mechanism for automatically preventing backflow when thevalve actuator is removed from the valve stem of the aerosol spray can.Charles also does not disclose a mechanism for accommodating andpressing valve stems of different heights.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/586,833 (Pat. App. Pub. No.2007/0181610) to Fazekas et al. (“Fazekas”), incorporated herein byreference, discloses an adapter for aerosol cans having a receivingdevice for the valve of the aerosol can, a conveying tube arranged atthe receiving device, a connection on the conveying tube to accommodatea trunk used to enable the can content to be discharged in a well-aimedmanner, a handle to actuate the receiving device counter to the valve ofthe can, holding means for fixing the adapter to a crimping lip of thedome of the can, with the receiving device interacting with and having asealing effect on the valve disk of the aerosol can and the receivingdevice being flexibly integrated into the adapter. However, Fazekas doesnot disclose a mechanism for automatically preventing the backflow offluid when the adapter is disconnected from the aerosol can or remoteactuating means, nor does it disclose a mechanism for accommodating andpressing valve stems of different heights.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,690,024 to Sogaro (“Sogaro”), incorporated herein byreference, discloses a spray can comprising a discharge tube, having acan member for holding a material to be sprayed, a spray head that isplugged onto a can valve on the top face of the can member and fittedwith a discharge tube, and an adapter that connects the spray head tothe discharge tube. However, Sogaro does not disclose a mechanism forautomatically preventing the backflow of liquid from the delivery tubewhen the delivery tube is not disconnected from the adapter, nor does itdisclose remote actuating means. Sogaro also does not disclose amechanism for accommodating and pressing valve stems of differentheights.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/136,974 (Pat. App. Pub. No.2009/0308946) to Dube et al. (“Dube”), incorporated herein by reference,discloses an aerosol can adaptor for spraying equipment. Specifically,Dube discloses a system for spraying a material, the system comprising:a canister having a first threaded fitting in fluid communication with avalve seal; a dip tube extending from the valve seal into the canister;an adaptor having a second threaded fitting that mates with the threadsof the first threaded fitting and an adaptor tube; and, a nozzle influid communication with the adaptor; wherein the adaptor tube interactswith the valve seal to move the valve into an open position, therebyestablishing a continuous flow path from the canister to the nozzlethrough the dip tube, valve seal and adaptor tube. However, Dube doesnot disclose a mechanism for automatically preventing the backflow ofliquid from the adaptor when the adaptor is disconnected from thecanister, nor does it disclose the use of a hose or tube and distalspray nozzle and distal actuator to remotely actuate and spray thecontents from a distance apart from the canister. Dube also does notdisclose a mechanism for accommodating and pressing valve stems ofdifferent heights.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,061,299 to Fodor (“Fodor”), incorporated herein byreference, discloses a “spray paint can spraying accessory” thatattaches onto an existing can of spray paint, and which is able todirect paint inwardly around a focal point in order to paint acylindrical or circular object. The spray paint can accessory includes anozzle housing that attaches atop of a spray paint can, and a can nozzlethat attaches onto the outlet tube of the existing spray paint can. Aspray gun hose connects with the can nozzle to direct paint to a spraygun having a plurality of paint nozzles positioned along an assembly,and which direct paint inwardly around a focal point. The assembly andpaint nozzles include an opening to enable ingress and egress of theobject to be painted. The can nozzle housing includes a threaded memberthat upon rotation engages the can nozzle downwardly thereby operatingthe outlet tube of the spray paint can. However, Fodor does not disclosea mechanism for automatically preventing the backflow of liquid from theaccessory when it is disconnected from the canister, nor does itdisclose a mechanism for accommodating and pressing valve stems ofdifferent heights.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,968,441 to Holcomb (“Holcomb”), incorporated herein byreference, discloses a “spray nozzle assembly for use with aerosol can”having a valve actuating spray nozzle designed to replace the originalspray nozzle, a length of flexible tubing having one end detachablyconnected over the spray orifice of the valve operating spray nozzle,and a remote spray nozzle removably connected to an opposite end of theflexible tubing. A plurality of stiff-walled pipes are slidably situatedover the tubing between the two nozzles. When one or more of these pipesare hand held to be in bearing relation to the remote nozzle and to eachother, the flexible tubing is held in a stiff condition so that theremote nozzle may be properly positioned with respect to the work area.Where it is necessary that the remote nozzle pass through a tortuouspath in arriving in alignment with the work area, these stiff-walledpipes will be slid to position adjacent the valve actuating nozzle sothat the remote nozzle and flexible tubing can be threaded into thedesired position. However, Holcomb does not disclose an distal actuatorat the end of the flexible tubing, nor does it disclose a mechanism forautomatically preventing the backflow of liquid through the valveactuating spray nozzle when it is disconnected form the aerosol can.Holcomb also does not disclose a mechanism for accommodating andpressing valve stems of different heights.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/046,057 (Pat. App. Pub. No.2011/0240771) to Legeza (“Legeza”), incorporated herein by reference,discloses a pressurized fluid spray container extension device which hasa trigger at the spray container to actuate a remote spray nozzle at theend of an extension tube to deliver a spray upon objects at a distancefrom the container. However, Legeza does not disclose a mechanism forpreventing the backflow of liquid from the extension tube or from theextension device and toward the spray container when the extensiondevice is disconnected from the spray container, nor does Legezadisclose a distal actuator located apart from the spray container.Legeza also does not disclose a mechanism for accommodating and pressingvalve stems of different heights.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/231,004 (Pat. App. Pub. No.2018/0037400) to Kuntzelman (“Kuntzelman”), incorporated herein byreference, discloses an aerosol discharge assembly including an aerosolcap sized to frictionally fit atop a cylindrically-shaped aerosol canhaving a centrally located longitudinal axis and circular cross-section,the cylindrically-shaped aerosol can containing a pressurized fluidtherein and a valve stem which, when depressed, discharges fluid therethrough. The aerosol cap is also cylindrically shaped having alongitudinal axis coextensive with the longitudinal axis of thecylindrically-shaped aerosol can. The aerosol cap further includes anopen channel located along its longitudinal axis exposing the valve stemthere through and a hose receiving channel exposed atop the aerosol cap.An actuator is sized to slip fit within the open channel and to slidewithin it when being depressed by a user, the actuator including a fluidinlet port sized to receive the valve stem and a fluid output port influid communication with the fluid inlet port such that when theactuator is depressed, pressurized fluid from the aerosol can is causedto enter the fluid inlet port, travel through the actuator and dischargethrough the fluid outlet port. The assembly also includes a flexiblehose having a first end and a second end, the first end being sized tocapture the fluid outlet port, the second end including a fixture forpassing the pressurized fluid there through, the flexible hose beingsized to frictionally fit within the hose receiving channel when not inuse, the assembly also including a safety tab positioned atop andemanating from the actuator which when in place, prevents the actuatorfrom being depressed within the open channel. However, Kuntzelman doesnot disclose a mechanism for automatically preventing the backflow ofthe pressurized fluid from the flexible hose or from the aerosoldischarge assembly and toward the aerosol can, nor does Kuntzelmandisclose an distal actuator located apart from the aerosol can or adistal spray nozzle. Kuntzelman also does not disclose a mechanism foraccommodating and pressing valve stems of different heights.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION.

The objects of the present invention and other objects are preferablyachieved by a first presently preferred device attachable to an aerosolspray can containing pressurized liquid, the can having a valve stemthat releases the pressurized liquid from the can through the valve stemwhen the valve stem is pressed (actuated), and a raised lip surroundingthe valve stem, comprising: a snap on cap that preferably removablysnaps onto the lip; a temporary cap fastener preferably attached to thecap; a valve stem actuator preferably movably attached to the cap,preferably having an attachment end and a tab end, with a tab at the tabend, a channel that is preferably positioned over the valve stem whenthe cap is snapped onto the lip, and a port preferably in fluidcommunication with the channel; a temporary actuator fastener preferablyattached to the tab and preferably configured to engage the temporarycap fastener; an internal ridge in the channel that preferably pressesthe valve stem without blocking the valve stem or the channel when thevalve stem actuator is actuated by pressing on the tab until the tabreaches a position where the ridge is retained over the valve stem andpresses the valve stem; a one-way valve preferably having a cap end anda tube end, preferably removably sealingly attached at the cap end tothe port so that the one-way valve is in fluid communication with theport, whereby the pressurized liquid can flow from the cap end to thetube end, but not from the tube end to the cap end, whereby backflow ofthe pressurized liquid from the tube end to the cap end is preferablyprevented; a flexible tube preferably having a proximal end, a distalend, a length and a diameter (inner diameter), the proximal end beingpreferably removably sealingly attached to the tube end of the one-wayvalve so that the flexible tube is in fluid communication with theone-way valve; and a remote actuator preferably having a distal spraynozzle providing a desired spray pattern, preferably removably sealinglyattached to the distal end of the flexible tube so that the distal spraynozzle and the remote actuator are preferably in fluid communicationwith the flexible tube; wherein the remote actuator and the distal spraynozzle preferably can be placed at any desired location allowed by thelength of the flexible tube, preferably at any desired orientation,while preferably keeping the can substantially upright to maximizecontinuous spraying, whereby when the cap is snapped onto the lip andthe valve stem actuator is actuated by pressing on the tab until itreaches the position where the ridge is preferably retained over thevalve stem to press the valve stem, the temporary cap fastener and thetemporary actuator fastener can preferably be engaged to temporarilyretain the ridge to press the valve stem and release the pressurizedliquid, whereby the pressurized liquid preferably flows through thechannel, the port, the one-way valve, and the flexible tube to theremote actuator; whereby, when the remote actuator is actuated, thepressurized liquid preferably flows through the remote actuator and thedistal spray nozzle, and the pressurized liquid is preferably sprayed inthe desired spray pattern at the desired location in the desiredorientation; wherein the tab can be preferably moved to, and preferablyretained in, different positions to enable the ridge to press valvestems of different heights by preferably engaging the temporary actuatorfastener and the temporary cap fastener at user selected positionsrelative to one another so the ridge preferably presses the valve stem;wherein when the valve stem actuator is released by preferably removingthe cap from the lip or preferably releasing the tab so the temporaryactuator fastener is disengaged from the temporary cap fastener, theridge stops pressing the valve stem so the flow of pressurized liquidthrough the valve stem preferably stops, and the one-way valvepreferably automatically retains the pressurized liquid within theflexible tube to prevent backflow of the pressurized liquid from theflexible tube through the channel; and wherein the one-way valve alsopreferably automatically prevents backflow of the pressurized liquidfrom the channel by suctionally retaining the pressurized liquid in thechannel when the valve stem actuator is released and the pressurizedliquid in the channel is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

The above and other objects of the present invention are also preferablyachieved by a second presently preferred device attachable to an aerosolspray can containing pressurized liquid, the can having a valve stemthat releases the pressurized liquid from the can through the valve stemwhen the valve stem is pressed, and a raised lip surrounding the valvestem, comprising: a snap on cap that preferably removably snaps onto thelip; a temporary cap fastener preferably attached to the cap; a valvestem actuator preferably movably attached to the cap, preferably havingan attachment end and a tab end, with a tab preferably at the tab end, achannel that is preferably positioned over the valve stem when the capis snapped onto the lip, and a port preferably in fluid communicationwith the channel; a temporary actuator fastener preferably attached tothe tab and preferably configured to engage the temporary cap fastener;an internal ridge in the channel that preferably presses the valve stemwithout blocking the valve stem or the channel when the valve stemactuator is actuated by pressing on the tab until the tab reaches aposition where the ridge is preferably retained over the valve stem andpreferably presses the valve stem; a one-way valve preferably having acap end and a tube end, preferably removably sealingly attached at thecap end to the port so that the one-way valve is preferably in fluidcommunication with the port, whereby the pressurized liquid canpreferably flow from the cap end to the tube end, but not from the tubeend to the cap end, whereby backflow of the pressurized liquid from thetube end to the cap end is preferably prevented; a flexible tubepreferably having a proximal end, a distal end, a length and a diameter(inner diameter), the proximal end being preferably removably sealinglyattached to the tube end of the one-way valve so that the flexible tubeis preferably in fluid communication with the one-way valve; and aremote actuator preferably having a distal spray nozzle providing adesired spray pattern, preferably removably sealingly attached to thedistal end of the flexible tube so the distal spray nozzle and theremote actuator are preferably in fluid communication with the flexibletube; wherein the remote actuator and the distal spray nozzle can bepreferably placed at any desired location allowed by the length of theflexible tube, preferably at any desired orientation, while preferablykeeping the can substantially upright to maximize continuous spraying,whereby when the cap is snapped onto the lip and the valve stem actuatoris actuated by preferably pressing on the tab until it reaches theposition where the ridge is preferably retained over the valve stem topress the valve stem, the temporary cap fastener and the temporaryactuator fastener can be engaged to preferably temporarily retain theridge to press the valve stem and release the pressurized liquid,whereby the pressurized liquid preferably flows through the channel, theport, the one-way valve, and the flexible tube to the remote actuator;whereby, when the remote actuator is actuated, the pressurized liquidpreferably flows through the remote actuator and the distal spraynozzle, and the pressurized liquid is preferably sprayed in the desiredspray pattern preferably at the desired location in the desiredorientation; wherein when the valve stem actuator is released bypreferably removing the cap from the lip or preferably releasing the tabso the temporary actuator fastener is preferably disengaged from thetemporary cap fastener, the ridge stops pressing the valve stem so theflow of pressurized liquid through the valve stem preferably stops, andthe one-way valve preferably automatically retains the pressurizedliquid within the flexible tube to prevent backflow of the pressurizedliquid from the flexible tube through the channel; and wherein theone-way valve also preferably automatically prevents backflow of thepressurized liquid from the channel by suctionally retaining thepressurized liquid in the channel when the valve stem actuator isreleased and the pressurized liquid in the channel is exposed toatmospheric pressure.

The above and other objects of the present invention are also preferablyachieved by a third presently preferred device attachable to an aerosolspray can containing pressurized liquid, the can having a valve stemthat releases the pressurized liquid from the can through the valve stemwhen the valve stem is pressed, and a raised lip surrounding the valvestem, comprising: a snap on cap that preferably removably snaps onto thelip; a temporary cap fastener preferably attached to the cap; a valvestem actuator preferably movably attached to the cap, preferably havingan attachment end and a tab end, with a tab preferably at the tab end, achannel that is preferably positioned over the valve stem when the capis snapped onto the lip, and a port preferably in fluid communicationwith the channel; a temporary actuator fastener preferably attached tothe tab and preferably configured to engage the temporary cap fastener;an internal ridge in the channel that presses the valve stem preferablywithout blocking the valve stem or the channel when the valve stemactuator is actuated by pressing on the tab until the tab preferablyreaches a position where the ridge is preferably retained over the valvestem and preferably presses the valve stem; a short connector hosepreferably having a connector hose near end, a connector hose far end, aconnector hose assembled internal volume, the connector hose near endpreferably removably sealingly attached to the port so that theconnector hose is preferably in fluid communication with the port; aone-way valve preferably having a cap end and a tube end, preferablyremovably sealingly attached at the cap end to the connector hose at theconnector hose far end so that the one-way valve is in fluidcommunication with the connector hose, whereby the pressurized liquidcan preferably flow from the cap end to the tube end, but not from thetube end to the cap end, whereby backflow of the pressurized liquid fromthe tube end to the cap end is preferably prevented; a flexible tubepreferably having a proximal end, a distal end, a length and a diameter(inner diameter), the proximal end being preferably removably sealinglyattached to the tube end of the one-way valve so that the flexible tubeis in fluid communication with the one-way valve; and a remote actuatorpreferably having a distal spray nozzle providing a desired spraypattern, preferably removably sealingly attached to the distal end ofthe flexible tube so the distal spray nozzle and the remote actuator arein fluid communication with the flexible tube; wherein the remoteactuator and the distal spray nozzle can preferably be placed at anydesired location allowed by the length of the flexible tube, preferablyat any desired orientation, while preferably keeping the cansubstantially upright to maximize continuous spraying, whereby when thecap is snapped onto the lip and the valve stem actuator is actuated bypressing on the tab until it preferably reaches the position where theridge is retained over the valve stem to press the valve stem, thetemporary cap fastener and the temporary actuator fastener canpreferably be engaged to retain the ridge to press the valve stem andrelease the pressurized liquid, whereby the pressurized liquidpreferably flows through the channel, the port, the connector hose, theone-way valve, and the flexible tube to the remote actuator; whereby,when the remote actuator is actuated, the pressurized liquid preferablyflows through the remote actuator and the distal spray nozzle, and thepressurized liquid is preferably sprayed in the desired spray pattern atthe desired location in the desired orientation; wherein when the valvestem actuator is released by preferably removing the cap from the lip orpreferably releasing the tab so the temporary actuator fastener isdisengaged from the temporary cap fastener, the ridge stops pressing thevalve stem so the flow of pressurized liquid through said valve stempreferably stops, and the one-way valve preferably automatically retainsthe pressurized liquid within the flexible tube to preferably preventbackflow of the pressurized liquid from the flexible tube through thechannel; and wherein the one-way valve also preferably automaticallyprevents backflow of the pressurized liquid from the connector hose andthe channel by suctionally retaining the pressurized liquid in theconnector hose and the channel when the valve stem actuator is releasedand the pressurized liquid in the connector hose and the channel isexposed to atmospheric pressure.

In the first and second presently preferred embodiments above, the tabcan be preferably moved to, and preferably retained in, differentpositions to enable the ridge to press valve stems of different heightsby preferably engaging the temporary actuator fastener and the temporarycap fastener at user selected positions relative to one another so theridge presses the valve stem.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the cap and the temporary capfastener are preferably integrally formed.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the tab and the temporaryactuator fastener are preferably integrally formed.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the temporary actuatorfastener and the temporary cap fastener are preferably chosen from thegroup consisting of interlocking teeth, a hook and loop fastener, anadhesive fastener, or a friction fastener.

In the first and second presently preferred embodiments above, theone-way valve is preferably removably sealingly attached at the cap endto the port through a barbed inlet (or ridged or serrated inlet)preferably mounted on the cap end and preferably pressed into andfrictionally retained in the port.

In the third presently preferred embodiment above, the connector hosenear end is preferably removably sealingly attached to the port througha connector hose fitting preferably configured to receive the connectorhose near end.

In the third presently preferred embodiment above, the one-way valve ispreferably removably sealingly attached at the cap end to the connectorhose through a barbed inlet (or ridged or serrated inlet) preferablymounted on the cap end and preferably pressed into and frictionallyretained in the connector hose.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the proximal end of theflexible tube is preferably removably sealingly attached to the tube endof the one-way valve through a barbed outlet (or ridged or serratedoutlet) preferably mounted on the tube end and preferably pressed intoand frictionally retained in the proximal end of the flexible tube.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the distal end of theflexible tube is preferably removably sealingly attached to the remoteactuator through a barbed inlet (or ridged or serrated inlet) preferablymounted on the remote actuator and preferably pressed into andfrictionally retained in the distal end.

In the first and second presently preferred embodiments above, theone-way valve and the port are preferably integrally formed at the tubeend.

In the third presently preferred embodiment above, the connector hoseand the port are preferably integrally formed at the connector hose nearend.

In the third presently preferred embodiment above, the connector hoseand the one-way valve are preferably integrally formed at the connectorhose far end.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the flexible tube ispreferably integrally formed with the one-way valve at the proximal endof the flexible tube.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the flexible tube ispreferably integrally formed with the remote actuator at the distal endof the flexible tube.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the remote actuator and thedistal spray nozzle are preferably integrally formed.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the valve stem actuator ispreferably movably attached at the attachment end to the cap through ahinge.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the cap preferably has twoupwardly extending appendages affixed on opposite sides of the cap thatare preferably pressed together to remove the cap from the lip.

In the third presently preferred embodiment above, the connector hoseassembled internal volume is preferably small enough to prevent backflowof the pressurized liquid from the channel.

In the third presently preferred embodiment above, the connector hoseassembled internal volume is preferably at most approximately 5 cubicmillimeters.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the length of the flexibletube is practicably between 3 feet (0.91 meters) and 5 feet (1.52meters).

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the diameter (inner diameter)of the flexible tube is practicably between 1.5 millimeters and 4.0millimeters.

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the length of the flexibletube is preferably between 3.5 feet (1.07 meters) and 4.5 feet (1.37meters).

In any of the preferred embodiments above, the diameter (inner diameter)of the flexible tube is preferably between 2.3 millimeters and 3.2millimeters.

Any of the preferred embodiments above, further comprising an o-ringattached to the ridge and configured to removably, sealingly receive thevalve stem when said valve stem actuator is actuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cut away view of an aerosol spray can.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagonal upper perspective view of the snap on cap in FIG. 2, which has a valve stem actuator that is configured to receive theone-way valve directly.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational cut away view of the snap on cap in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagonal lower perspective view of the snap on cap in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagonal upper perspective view of the snap on cap in FIG. 3shown partially assembled with the one-way valve (connected directly tothe valve stem actuator on the cap) and the flexible tube.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational cut away view of the snap on cap in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagonal upper perspective view of another presentlypreferred embodiment of the snap on cap, which is identical to the snapon cap in FIG. 3 except that the valve stem actuator is configured toreceive a short connector hose instead of the one-way valve.

FIG. 9 is a diagonal upper perspective view of the snap on cap in FIG. 8, shown partially assembled with the short connector hose between thevalve stem actuator on the cap and the one-way valve.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational cut away view of the snap on cap in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a diagonal upper perspective assembled view of the embodimentin FIG. 2 , shown with the snap on cap removably snapped onto the lip ofthe aerosol spray can of FIG. 1 .

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION.

The presently preferred best modes for carrying out the presentinvention are illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-11 .

The presently preferred embodiments of the invention attach to anaerosol spray can. FIG. 1 depicts a conventional aerosol spray can 6with its spray nozzle removed, exposing a valve stem 8 with a lip 10concentrically surrounding the valve stem 8. The valve stem 8 isoperably connected to a spring-loaded valve 12, which in turn is influid communication with a dip tube 14. The aerosol spray can 6 containsa pressurized propellant gas 16, which (when the can is upright) exertsdownward pressure on the liquid (fluid) in the can, thereby creatingpressurized liquid 18. When the aerosol spray can 6 is in asubstantially upright position as shown in FIG. 1 , the dip tube 14extends into, and is in fluid connection with, the pressurized liquid 18in the can. Thus, when the valve stem 8 is actuated (pressed), thespring-loaded valve 12 opens, and the pressure exerted by the propellantgas 16 pushes the pressurized liquid 18 up through the dip tube 14,through the spring-loaded valve 12, and out through the valve stem 8.

However, sometimes it is desirable to orient a spray can at differentangles to reach certain areas or to achieve certain spray patterns, andproblems arise when the aerosol spray can 6 is oriented in such a mannerthat the bottom end of the dip tube 14 does not extend fully into (isnot fully submerged in) the pressurized liquid 18. In suchcircumstances, when the valve stem 8 is pressed, the spring-loaded valve12 opens, and only small or uneven amounts of pressurized liquid 18, oronly propellant gas 16, or nothing at all, flows through the dip tube14, the spring-loaded valve 12, and the valve stem 8. A similar outcomeoccurs when the aerosol spray can 6 contains no pressurized liquid 18 atall. This prevents the continuous spraying of pressurized liquid 18 atcertain angles when the bottom of the dip tube 14 does not extend fullyinto (is not fully submerged in) the pressurized liquid 18. Aerosolspray cans 6 also often have valve stems 8 of different heights, so itis also desirable to have a device that can accommodate and press valvestems 8 of such different heights.

The presently preferred embodiments of the invention solve the problemsdescribed above with a device having two presently preferred versions ofa snap on cap. The first presently preferred embodiment is a snap on capwith a valve stem actuator configured to receive the one-way valvedirectly as illustrated in FIGS. 2-7 . The second presently preferredembodiment is a snap on cap with a valve stem actuator configured toreceive a short connector hose between the valve stem actuator on thecap and the one-way valve as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , shown is an exploded perspective view of apresently preferred embodiment of the invention showing the snap on cap20 with a valve stem actuator 21 containing a port 29, a one-way valve24 directly connected to the port 29, a flexible tube 38, and a remoteactuator 44 with a distal spray nozzle 48.

Referring to FIGS. 3-7 , shown is the snap on cap 20 of FIG. 2 with avalve stem actuator 21 configured to receive the one-way valve 24directly. The snap on cap 20 is preferably formed of any durable, yetflexible, material that allows it to removably snap onto the lip 10 ofan aerosol spray can 6 (see FIG. 1 ), such as plastic, wood, rubber, orthe like. The cap 20 may also employ other means to removably snap ontoan aerosol spray can 6, such as by using flexible tabs, springs, or thelike.

The cap 20 preferably has a valve stem actuator 21 having an attachmentend 27 and a tab end 23. The terms “attachment end” and “tab end” referto points on the valve stem actuator 21 and do not necessarily imply anelongated structure or the extremes thereof. The valve stem actuator 21is movably attached to the cap 20 at the attachment end 27, preferablythrough the use of a hinge 53, but any other similar or equivalentmovable attachment means can be used. A temporary cap fastener 31 ispreferably attached to, or integrally formed with, the outer surface ofthe cap 20 (see FIG. 4 ). A tab 25 at the tab end 23 of the valve stemactuator 21 preferably has a temporary actuator fastener 33 attached to,or integrally formed with, the tab 25. The temporary actuator fastener33 is preferably configured to engage, and fasten to, the temporary capfastener 31. The temporary actuator fastener 33 and the temporary capfastener 31 preferably comprise interlocking teeth, a hook and loopfastener, an adhesive fastener, or a friction fastener, but any similaror equivalent fastening means that allows the temporary actuatorfastener 33 and the temporary cap fastener 31 to engage and fasten toeach other at different user selected positions relative to one anothercan be used.

The valve stem actuator 21 also preferably has a port (aperture) 29extending there through, leading to, and forming, a channel 50 (see FIG.4 ), and is in fluid communication with the channel 50. The channel 50is preferably enclosed and is positioned over the valve stem 8 when thecap 20 is snapped onto lip 10 of the aerosol spray (see FIG. 1 ) and thevalve stem actuator 21 is actuated (as described below). An internalridge or narrowing 52 of the channel 50 is preferably configured so thatthe ridge 52 is removably sealingly retained over, and presses on, thevalve stem 8 without blocking the valve stem 8 or the channel 50 whenthe valve stem actuator 21 is actuated (as described below). However,those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any internalprojection in the channel 50 that can press the valve stem 8 withoutblocking the valve stem 8 or the channel 50 can be used, such as a ring,peg, lobe, pin, or the like, all of which are hereinafter referred to asridges. An o-ring is preferably attached to, or integrally formed with,the ridge 52 and configured to removably, sealingly receive the valvestem 8 when said valve stem actuator 21 is actuated. 0-rings areconventional and well-known in the art (see, for example,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-ring, incorporated herein by reference).

To actuate the valve stem actuator 21, the tab 25 is preferably presseduntil it reaches an actuated position where the ridge 52 (with orwithout the o-ring) is preferably retained over the valve stem 8 andpresses the valve stem 8. The temporary actuator fastener 33 and thetemporary cap fastener 31 are preferably engaged together to retain theactuated position and keep the valve stem 8 actuated until the valvestem actuator 21 is released. The tab 25 can preferably be moved to, andretained in, different user selectable positions, to enable the ridge 52(with or without the o-ring) to press valve stems of different heightsby engaging the temporary actuator fastener 33 and the temporary capfastener 31 at certain user selected positions relative to one another.The valve stem 8 and the valve stem actuator 21 are released bypreferably removing the cap 20 from the lip 10 or preferably releasingthe tab 25 so the temporary actuator fastener 33 is disengaged from thetemporary cap fastener 31. The cap 20 preferably has two upwardlyextending appendages affixed on opposite sides of the cap 20 that arepressed together to facilitate removing the cap 20 from the lip 10.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the presently preferred embodiment of theinvention further preferably comprises a one-way valve (check valve) 24that only allows fluid or gas to flow through it in one direction.One-way valves are typically two-port valves, meaning they have twoopenings in the body, one for fluid to enter and the other for fluid toleave. They are generally small, simple, and inexpensive. The one-wayvalve 24 has a cap end 26 and a tube end 28 and is preferably removablysealingly attached at the cap end 26 to the port 29, so that the one-wayvalve 24 is directly attached to the port 29 (see FIGS. 2-5 ) and influid communication with the port 29. This is preferably accomplished byway of a barbed inlet 30 (or ridged or serrated inlet)(see FIG. 2 )mounted on the cap end 26 and pressed into and frictionally retained inthe port 29, which is in fluid communication with the channel 50 (seeFIG. 7 ). However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat the one-way valve 24 may be removably, sealingly attached to theport 29 using any other attachment means known in the art, including byusing complementary screw threads, compression fittings, clamp fittings,push-to-connect fittings, couplings, adapters, or the like. The port 29may also preferably be integrally formed with the barbed inlet 30. Thevalve stem actuator 21 may also be preferably integrally formed with theone-way valve 24 such that the channel 50 is direct in fluidcommunication with the one-way valve 24. The one-way valve 24 preferablyallows pressurized liquid 18 to flow from the cap end 26 to the tube end28, but not from the tube end 28 to the cap end 26, so that backflow ofthe pressurized liquid 18 from the tube end 28 to the cap end 26 isprevented. The one-way valve 24 is preferably made of any durablematerial, such as plastic, nickel, bronze, or steel. A barbed outlet (orridged or serrated outlet) 32 (see FIG. 2 ) is also preferably mountedon the tube end 28 of the one-way valve 24. One-way valves with onebarbed fitting (barbed inlets and/or barbed outlets) are conventionaland well-known in the art (see, for example,https://www.mcmaster.com/check-valves/ andhttps://www.mcmaster.com/check-valves/check-valves-with-barbed-fittings-9,/both incorporated herein by reference), but any similar or equivalentone-way valve can be used. The barbed outlet 32 is preferably removablysealingly attached to the flexible tube 38 (see FIG. 2 ), as describedfurther below, so that the one-way valve 24 is in fluid communicationwith the flexible tube 38. The barbed outlet 32 or tube end 28 of theone-way valve 24 may also preferably be integrally formed with theflexible tube 38.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10 , shown is another presently preferredembodiment of the snap on cap 20 with the valve stem actuator 21. Thisembodiment is identical to the embodiment described above except thatthe valve stem actuator 21 is preferably configured to receive a shortconnector hose 37 between the port 29 and the one-way valve 24. Theshort connector hose 37 has a connector hose near end 39 and a connectorhose far end 41. The connector hose near end 39 is preferably removablysealingly attached to, or integrally formed with, the port 29 so thatthe connector hose 37 is in fluid communication with the port 29. Theconnector hose near end 39 is preferably removably sealingly attached tothe port 29 through a connector hose fitting 43 configured to receivethe connector hose near end 39 and in fluid communication with the port29. The volume of space left in the connector hose 37 when the device isfully assembled is called the connector hose assembled internal volume36 (see FIG. 10 ) and is preferably small enough so that backflow of thepressurized liquid 18 from the connector hose 37 and channel 50 does notoccur when the valve stem actuator 21 and the valve stem 8 are releasedand said pressurized liquid 18 in the connector hose 37 and the channel50 is exposed to atmospheric pressure. The connector hose assembledinternal volume 36 is preferably at most approximately 5 cubicmillimeters.

The one-way valve 24 in this preferred embodiment is removably sealinglyattached at the cap end 26 to the connector hose 37 at the connectorhose far end 41 so that the one-way valve 24 is in fluid communicationwith the connector hose 37. This is preferably accomplished by way of abarbed inlet (see FIG. 2 ) mounted on the cap end 26 and pressed intoand frictionally retained in the connector hose 37 at the connector hosefar end 41. The diameter (inner diameter) of the connector hose 37 ispreferably the same or slightly less than the diameter of the barbedinlet 30, so that the connector hose far end 41 is removably sealinglyattached to the barbed inlet 30. The connector hose far end 41 may alsopreferably be integrally formed with the barbed inlet 30 or the one-wayvalve 24.

Referring back to FIG. 2 , in either of the two preferred embodiments ofthe snap on cap described above, the snap on cap 20 with a valve stemactuator 21 configured to receive the one-way valve 24 directly (or thesnap on cap 20 with a valve stem actuator 21 configured to receive ashort connector hose), further comprising a flexible tube 38 having aproximal end 40, a distal end 42, a length, and a diameter (innerdiameter) and is preferably removably sealingly attached at the proximalend 40 to the barbed outlet 32 of the one-way valve 24. This ispreferably accomplished by way of inserting the barbed outlet 32 intothe proximal end 40 such that barbed outlet 32 is frictionally retainedwithin, and fluid communication with, the flexible tube 38. The diameterof the flexible tube is preferably the same or slightly less than thediameter of the barbed outlet 32, so that the proximal end 40 of theflexible tube 38 is removably sealingly attached to the barbed outlet32. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the proximalend 40 of the flexible tube 38 may also preferably be removablysealingly attached to the one-way valve 24 or an outlet that is notbarbed, ridged, serrated, or the like, using any attachment method knownin the art, including friction retention, or the use of compressionfittings, clamp fittings, push-to-connect fittings, couplings, oradapters. The proximal end 40 of the flexible tube 38 may alsopreferably be integrally formed with the barbed outlet 32 or the one-wayvalve 24.

The length of the flexible tube 38 is practicably between 3 feet (0.91meters) and 5 feet (1.52 meters), and preferably between 3.5 feet (1.07meters) and 4.5 feet (1.37 meters). The diameter (inner diameter) of theflexible tube 38 is practicably between 1.5 millimeters and 4.0millimeters, and preferably between 2.3 millimeters and 3.2 millimeters.

Referring back to FIG. 2 , the preferred embodiments of the inventionfurther comprise a remote actuator 44 having an inlet that is barbed(remote actuator barbed inlet) 46 and a distal spray nozzle 48 providinga desired spray pattern. The remote actuator barbed inlet 46 mayalternatively be ridged or serrated. The distal end 42 of the flexibletube 38 is preferably removably sealingly attached to, and fluidcommunication with, the remote actuator 44 by pushing the remoteactuator barbed inlet 46 into the distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38such that friction between the remote actuator barbed inlet 46 and theflexible tube 38 frictionally sealingly retains the remote actuatorbarbed inlet 46 within the distal end 42 of the flexible tube 38. Thediameter of the flexible tube is preferably the same as or slightly lessthan the diameter of the remote actuator barbed inlet 46 so that thedistal end 42 of the flexible tube 38 is removably sealingly attachedto, and fluid communication with, the remote actuator barbed inlet 46.Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the distal end42 of the flexible tube 38 may also preferably be removably sealinglyattached to an inlet that is not barbed, ridged, serrated, or the like,using any attachment method known in the art, including frictionretention, or the use of compression fittings, clamp fittings,push-to-connect fittings, couplings, or adapters. The distal end 42 ofthe flexible tube 38 may also be preferably integrally formed with theremote actuator barbed inlet 46 or the remote actuator 44. The remoteactuator 44 may also preferably have an ergonomic handle.

The preferred embodiments of the invention further comprise a distalspray nozzle 48 that is in fluid communication with the barbed inlet 46and the flexible tube 38. The remote actuator 44 has a spring-loadedvalve that is opened by pressing down on the remote actuator 44, therebyallowing the flow of pressurized liquid 18 through the remote actuator44 and out of the distal spray nozzle 48. However, those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the remote actuator 44 can alsopreferably be a trigger, a lever, an electronic button, a digitallycontrolled circuit, or any other means of opening a valve to permit theflow of the pressurized liquid 18 out of the distal spray nozzle 48. Ina preferred embodiment, the remote actuator 44 and the distal spraynozzle 48 may be integrally formed. In yet another preferred embodiment,the distal spray nozzle 48 is interchangeable with other distal spraynozzles to provide different desired spray patterns.

FIG. 11 shows the presently preferred embodiment of the invention inFIG. 2 removably snapped on to the lip 10 of a aerosol spray can 6,comprising the snap on cap 20 with the valve stem actuator 21, one-wayvalve 24, flexible tube 38, the remote actuator 44, and the distal spraynozzle 48, all removably sealingly attached and assembled, or integrallyformed.

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 11 , the device in accordance with thepresently preferred embodiments of the present invention is used asfollows: if the aerosol spray can 6 has an existing spray nozzle, theexisting spray nozzle is removed to expose the valve stem 8. The snap oncap 20 and valve stem actuator 21 are aligned over the aerosol spray can6 such that the channel 50 is positioned over the valve stem 8. Downwardpressure is then applied to the snap on cap 20 such that the snap on cap20 snaps onto the lip 10 of the aerosol spray can 6. The valve stemactuator 21 is actuated by pressing the tab 25 until it reaches aposition where the ridge 52 (with or without an o-ring) is preferablyretained over the valve stem 8 and presses the valve stem 8. Thetemporary actuator fastener 33 and the temporary cap fastener 31 arepreferably engaged together to retain the position and keep the valvestem 8 temporarily actuated until the valve stem actuator 21 isreleased. The tab 25 can preferably be moved to, and retained in,different positions to enable the ridge 52 (with or without an o-ring)to press valve stems of different heights by engaging the temporaryactuator fastener 33 and the temporary cap fastener 31 at certain userselected positions relative to one another. When the valve stem actuator21 is pressed, the valve stem 8 is also pressed, thereby releasingpressurized liquid 18 into the channel 50, out the port 29 (and into theshort connector hose 37 in one preferred embodiment), into the barbedinlet 30, through the one-way valve 24, out through the barbed outlet32, into the flexible tubing 38, through the flexible tubing 38, intothe remote actuator barbed inlet 46, and into the remote actuator 44.When the user actuates the remote actuator 44, the remote actuator 44sprays the pressurized liquid 18 out through the distal spray nozzle 48in the desired spray pattern, at a desired location, and in a desiredorientation.

The valve stem actuator 21 is released by removing the snap on cap 20from the lip 10 of the aerosol spray can 6, or releasing the tab 25 sothe temporary actuator fastener 33 and the temporary cap fastener 31disengage from one another, and the valve stem 8 is released, whichstops the flow of pressurized liquid 18 from the can 6 through the valvestem 8. The one-way valve 24 automatically prevents backflow of thepressurized liquid 18 in the flexible tube 38 into the small and narrowchannel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in onepreferred embodiment), thus retaining the pressurized liquid 18 withinthe flexible tube 38. Surprisingly, the one-way valve 24 alsoautomatically prevents backflow of the pressurized liquid 18 in thechannel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in onepreferred embodiment) by suctionally retaining the pressurized liquid 18in the channel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50in one preferred embodiment) when the valve stem actuator 21 is releasedand the pressurized liquid 18 in the channel 50 (or in the shortconnector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment) isexposed to atmospheric pressure and other forces. Much as a drinkingstraw retains liquid inside when a finger blocks the upper end of thestraw when the straw is in a drink (to prevent air from entering theupper end of the straw), and then the straw is withdrawn upwards withthe finger still blocking the upper end, atmospheric pressuresuctionally retains the pressurized liquid 18 in the channel 50 (or inthe short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferredembodiment) because the one—way valve 24 blocks air or backflow ofpressurized gas and/or fluid from the flexible tube 38 (or elsewhere)into the channel 50 (or into the short connector hose 37 and the channel50 in one preferred embodiment), so that the atmospheric pressureoutside the channel 50 is greater than the pressure inside the channel50 (or inside the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in onepreferred embodiment), which keeps the pressurized liquid 18 inside.Forces between the pressurized liquid 18 and solid surfaces in thechannel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and the channel 50 in apreferred embodiment) may also assist with retaining the pressurizedliquid in the channel 50 (or in the short connector hose 37 and thechannel 50 in a preferred embodiment). Specifically, adhesion (or thetendency of dissimilar particles or surfaces to cling to one another)attracts the pressurized liquid 18 to the walls of, or capillary actiondraws the liquid 18 into, the channel 50 (or the walls of the shortconnector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment),thereby keeping the liquid 18 in the channel 50 (or in the shortconnector hose 37 and the channel 50 in one preferred embodiment) whenthe valve stem actuator 21 is released.

To release the pressurized liquid 18 within the flexible tube 38 afterthe valve stem actuator 21 is released, a user can simply press theremote actuator 44 and spray the pressurized liquid 18 in the flexibletube 38 through the distal spray nozzle 48 in any desired location.

Thus, by using the device in accordance with the preferred embodimentsof the invention, pressurized liquid can be sprayed through a distalspray nozzle that can be oriented at any angle and sprayed at a desiredlocation, while maintaining the aerosol spray can in a substantiallyupright position to maximize continuous and consistent spraying of thepressurized liquid. The device can also accommodate and press valvestems of different heights, because the tab can be moved to, andretained in, different positions by engaging the temporary actuatorfastener and the temporary cap fastener at user selected positionsrelative to one another. Further, the device in accordance with thepresently preferred embodiments solves the problem of backflow throughthe use of a one-way valve that automatically retains the pressurizedliquid within the flexible tube to prevent backflow of the pressurizedliquid from the flexible tube into the channel when valve stem actuatoris released. The one-way valve also automatically prevents backflow ofthe pressurized liquid from the channel (or the short connector hose andthe channel in a preferred embodiment) out of the device by suctionallyretaining the pressurized liquid in the small and narrow channel (or theshort connector hose and the channel in a preferred embodiment) due toatmospheric pressure and other forces, similar to a drinking strawblocked by a finger.

While the present invention has been disclosed in connection with thepresently preferred embodiments described herein, it should beunderstood that there may be other embodiments which fall within thespirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.Accordingly, no limitations are to be implied or inferred in thisinvention except as specifically and as explicitly set forth in theclaims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention can be used whenever it is necessary or desirable tocontinuously spray pressurized liquid from an aerosol spray can at anyangle and in any location while being able to actuate valve stems ofdifferent heights and automatically preventing backflow of thepressurized liquid through the device when it is removed from theaerosol spray can.

I claim:
 1. A device attachable to an aerosol spray can containingpressurized liquid, said can having a valve stem that releases saidpressurized liquid from said can through said valve stem when said valvestem is pressed, and a raised lip surrounding said valve stem,comprising: a snap on cap that removably snaps onto said lip; atemporary cap fastener attached to said cap; a valve stem actuatormovably attached to said cap, having an attachment end and a tab end,with a tab at the tab end, a channel that is positioned over said valvestem when said cap is snapped onto said lip, and a port in fluidcommunication with said channel; a temporary actuator fastener attachedto said tab and configured to engage said temporary cap fastener; aninternal ridge in said channel that presses said valve stem withoutblocking said valve stem or said channel when said valve stem actuatoris actuated by pressing on said tab until said tab reaches a positionwhere said ridge is retained over said valve stem and presses said valvestem; a one-way valve having a cap end and a tube end, removablysealingly attached at said cap end to said port so that said one-wayvalve is in fluid communication with said port, whereby said pressurizedliquid can flow from said cap end to said tube end, but not from saidtube end to said cap end, whereby backflow of said pressurized liquidfrom said tube end to said cap end is prevented; a flexible tube havinga proximal end, a distal end, a length and a diameter, said proximal endbeing removably sealingly attached to said tube end of said one-wayvalve so that said flexible tube is in fluid communication with saidone-way valve; and a remote actuator having a distal spray nozzleproviding a desired spray pattern, removably sealingly attached to saiddistal end of said flexible tube so said distal spray nozzle and saidremote actuator are in fluid communication with said flexible tube;wherein said remote actuator and said distal spray nozzle can be placedat any desired location allowed by said length of said flexible tube, atany desired orientation, while keeping said can substantially upright tomaximize continuous spraying, whereby when said cap is snapped onto saidlip and said valve stem actuator is actuated by pressing on said tabuntil said valve stem actuator reaches said position where said ridge isretained over said valve stem to press said valve stem, said temporarycap fastener and said temporary actuator fastener engage to retain saidridge to press said valve stem and release said pressurized liquid,whereby said pressurized liquid flows through said channel, said port,said one-way valve, and said flexible tube to said remote actuator;whereby, when said remote actuator is actuated, said pressurized liquidflows through said remote actuator and said distal spray nozzle, andsaid pressurized liquid is sprayed in said desired spray pattern at saiddesired location in said desired orientation; wherein said tab can bemoved to, and retained in, different positions to enable said ridge topress valve stems of different heights by engaging said temporaryactuator fastener and said temporary cap fastener at user selectedpositions relative to one another so said ridge presses said valve stem;wherein when said valve stem actuator is released by removing said capfrom said lip or releasing said tab so that said temporary actuatorfastener is disengaged from said temporary cap fastener, said ridgestops pressing said valve stem so said flow of pressurized liquidthrough said valve stem stops, and said one-way valve automaticallyretains said pressurized liquid within said flexible tube to preventbackflow of said pressurized liquid from said flexible tube through saidchannel; and wherein said one-way valve also automatically preventsbackflow of said pressurized liquid from said channel by suctionallyretaining said pressurized liquid in said channel when said valve stemactuator is released and said pressurized liquid in said channel isexposed to atmospheric pressure.
 2. A device attachable to an aerosolspray can containing pressurized liquid, said can having a valve stemthat releases said pressurized liquid from said can through said valvestem when said valve stem is pressed, and a raised lip surrounding saidvalve stem, comprising: a snap on cap that removably snaps onto saidlip; a temporary cap fastener attached to said cap; a valve stemactuator movably attached to said cap, having an attachment end and atab end, with a tab at the tab end, a channel that is positioned oversaid valve stem when said cap is snapped onto said lip, and a port influid communication with said channel; a temporary actuator fastenerattached to said tab and configured to engage said temporary capfastener; an internal ridge in said channel that presses said valve stemwithout blocking said valve stem or said channel when said valve stemactuator is actuated by pressing on said tab until said tab reaches aposition where said ridge is retained over said valve stem and pressessaid valve stem; a one-way valve having a cap end and a tube end,removably sealingly attached at said cap end to said port so that saidone-way valve is in fluid communication with said port, whereby saidpressurized liquid can flow from said cap end to said tube end, but notfrom said tube end to said cap end, whereby backflow of said pressurizedliquid from said tube end to said cap end is prevented; a flexible tubehaving a proximal end, a distal end, a length and a diameter, saidproximal end being removably sealingly attached to said tube end of saidone-way valve so that said flexible tube is in fluid communication withsaid one-way valve; and a remote actuator having a distal spray nozzleproviding a desired spray pattern, removably sealingly attached to saiddistal end of said flexible tube so said distal spray nozzle and saidremote actuator are in fluid communication with said flexible tube;wherein said remote actuator and said distal spray nozzle can be placedat any desired location allowed by said length of said flexible tube, atany desired orientation, while keeping said can substantially upright tomaximize continuous spraying, whereby when said cap is snapped onto saidlip and said valve stem actuator is actuated by pressing on said tabuntil said valve stem actuator reaches said position where said ridge isretained over said valve stem to press said valve stem, said temporarycap fastener and said temporary actuator fastener engage to retain saidridge to press said valve stem and release said pressurized liquid,whereby said pressurized liquid flows through said channel, said port,said one-way valve, and said flexible tube to said remote actuator;whereby, when said remote actuator is actuated, said pressurized liquidflows through said remote actuator and said distal spray nozzle, andsaid pressurized liquid is sprayed in said desired spray pattern at saiddesired location in said desired orientation; wherein when said valvestem actuator is released by removing said cap from said lip orreleasing said tab so that said temporary actuator fastener isdisengaged from said temporary cap fastener, said ridge stops pressingsaid valve stem so said flow of pressurized liquid through said valvestem stops, and said one-way valve automatically retains saidpressurized liquid within said flexible tube to prevent backflow of saidpressurized liquid from said flexible tube through said channel; andwherein said one-way valve also automatically prevents backflow of saidpressurized liquid from said channel by suctionally retaining saidpressurized liquid in said channel when said valve stem actuator isreleased and said pressurized liquid in said channel is exposed toatmospheric pressure.
 3. A device attachable to an aerosol spray cancontaining pressurized liquid, said can having a valve stem thatreleases said pressurized liquid from said can through said valve stemwhen said valve stem is pressed, and a raised lip surrounding said valvestem, comprising: a snap on cap that removably snaps onto said lip; atemporary cap fastener attached to said cap; a valve stem actuatormovably attached to said cap, having an attachment end and a tab end,with a tab at the tab end, a channel that is positioned over said valvestem when said cap is snapped onto said lip, and a port in fluidcommunication with said channel; a temporary actuator fastener attachedto said tab and configured to engage said temporary cap fastener; aninternal ridge in said channel that presses said valve stem withoutblocking said valve stem or said channel when said valve stem actuatoris actuated by pressing on said tab until said tab reaches a positionwhere said ridge is retained over said valve stem and presses said valvestem; a short connector hose having a connector hose near end, aconnector hose far end, a connector hose assembled internal volume, saidconnector hose near end removably sealingly attached to said port sothat said connector hose is in fluid communication with said port; aone-way valve having a cap end and a tube end, removably sealinglyattached at said cap end to said connector hose at said connector hosefar end so that said one-way valve is in fluid communication with saidconnector hose, whereby said pressurized liquid can flow from said capend to said tube end, but not from said tube end to said cap end,whereby backflow of said pressurized liquid from said tube end to saidcap end is prevented; a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distalend, a length and a diameter, said proximal end being removablysealingly attached to said tube end of said one-way valve so that saidflexible tube is in fluid communication with said one-way valve; and aremote actuator having a distal spray nozzle providing a desired spraypattern, removably sealingly attached to said distal end of saidflexible tube so said distal spray nozzle and said remote actuator arein fluid communication with said flexible tube; wherein said remoteactuator and said distal spray nozzle can be placed at any desiredlocation allowed by said length of said flexible tube, at any desiredorientation, while keeping said can substantially upright to maximizecontinuous spraying, whereby when said cap is snapped onto said lip andsaid valve stem actuator is actuated by pressing on said tab until saidvalve stem actuator reaches said position where said ridge is retainedover said valve stem to press said valve stem, said temporary capfastener and said temporary actuator fastener can be engaged to retainsaid ridge to press said valve stem and release said pressurized liquid,whereby said pressurized liquid flows through said channel, said port,said connector hose, said one-way valve, and said flexible tube to saidremote actuator; whereby, when said remote actuator is actuated, saidpressurized liquid flows through said remote actuator and said distalspray nozzle, and said pressurized liquid is sprayed in said desiredspray pattern at said desired location in said desired orientation;wherein when said valve stem actuator is released by removing said capfrom said lip or releasing said tab so that said temporary actuatorfastener is disengaged from said temporary cap fastener, said ridgestops pressing said valve stem so said flow of pressurized liquidthrough said valve stem stops, and said one-way valve automaticallyretains said pressurized liquid within said flexible tube to preventbackflow of said pressurized liquid from said flexible tube through saidchannel; and wherein said one-way valve also automatically preventsbackflow of said pressurized liquid from said connector hose and saidchannel by suctionally retaining said pressurized liquid in saidconnector hose and said channel when said valve stem actuator isreleased and said pressurized liquid in said connector hose and saidchannel is exposed to atmospheric pressure.
 4. The device of claim 2 or3, wherein said tab can be moved to, and retained in, differentpositions to enable said ridge to press valve stems of different heightsby engaging said temporary actuator fastener and said temporary capfastener at user selected positions relative to one another so saidridge presses said valve stem.
 5. A device according to claim 1, 2, or3, wherein said cap and said temporary cap fastener are integrallyformed.
 6. A device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said tab andsaid temporary actuator fastener are integrally formed.
 7. A deviceaccording to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said temporary actuator fastenerand said temporary cap fastener are chosen from the group consisting ofinterlocking teeth, a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, or afriction fastener.
 8. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said one-wayvalve is removably sealingly attached at said cap end to said portthrough a barbed inlet mounted on said cap end and pressed into andfrictionally retained in said port.
 9. The device of claim 3, whereinsaid connector hose near end is removably sealingly attached to saidport through a connector hose fitting configured to receive saidconnector hose near end.
 10. The device of claim 3, wherein said one-wayvalve is removably sealingly attached at said cap end to said connectorhose through a barbed inlet mounted on said cap end and pressed into andfrictionally retained in said connector hose.
 11. The device of claim 1,2, or 3, wherein said proximal end of said flexible tube is removablysealingly attached to said tube end of said one-way valve through abarbed outlet mounted on said tube end and pressed into and frictionallyretained in said proximal end of said flexible tube.
 12. The device ofclaim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said distal end of said flexible tube isremovably sealingly attached to said remote actuator through a remoteactuator barbed inlet mounted on said remote actuator and pressed intoand frictionally retained in said distal end.
 13. The device of claim 1or 2, wherein said one-way valve and said port are integrally formed atsaid tube end.
 14. The device of claim 3, wherein said connector hoseand said port are integrally formed at said connector hose near end. 15.The device of claim 3, wherein said connector hose and said one-wayvalve are integrally formed at said connector hose far end.
 16. Thedevice of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said flexible tube is integrallyformed with said one-way valve at the proximal end of said flexibletube.
 17. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said flexible tube isintegrally formed with said remote actuator at the distal end of saidflexible tube.
 18. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said remoteactuator and said distal spray nozzle are integrally formed.
 19. Thedevice of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said valve stem actuator is movablyattached at said attachment end to said cap through a hinge.
 20. Thedevice of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said cap has two upwardly extendingappendages affixed on opposite sides of said cap that are pressedtogether to remove said cap from said lip.
 21. The device of claim 3,wherein said connector hose assembled internal volume is small enough toprevent backflow of said pressurized liquid from said channel.
 22. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein said connector hose assembled internal volumeis at most approximately 5 cubic millimeters.
 23. The device of claim 1,2, or 3, wherein said length of said flexible tube is between 0.91meters and 1.52 meters.
 24. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein saiddiameter of said flexible tube is between 1.5 millimeters and 4.0millimeters.
 25. The device of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said length ofsaid flexible tube is between 1.07 meters and 1.37 meters.
 26. Thedevice of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said diameter of said flexible tubeis between 2.3 millimeters and 3.2 millimeters.
 27. The device of claim1, 2, or 3, further comprising an o-ring attached to said ridge andconfigured to removably, sealingly receive said valve stem when saidvalve stem actuator is actuated.